# Expression of Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Alpha and Beta Receptors in Primary Tumor Cells of Patients with Renal Cell Carcinoma

## TL;DR

This study found that PDGFRα is more commonly expressed in kidney cancer cells than PDGFRβ, and both are linked to more severe cancer features but not survival outcomes.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into PDGFRα/β expression patterns and their correlation with tumor progression in renal cell carcinoma.

## Key findings

- PDGFRα was expressed in 58.5% of RCC cells with higher levels than PDGFRβ.
- PDGFRα/β expression correlated with higher tumor grade and advanced cancer stages.
- Neither PDGFRα nor PDGFRβ expression affected patient survival.

## Abstract

: This study aimed to assess the expression of platelet-derived growth factor receptors alpha and beta (PDGFRα/β) in primary tumor cells of patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Platelet-derived growth factor receptors alpha and beta expression was analyzed in RCC specimens from 65 RCC patients (pT1a-T4NanyMany) using immunohistochemistry. Expression levels were quantified using the semi-quantitative H-score (HS) method, and correlations between PDGFRα/β expression and tumor characteristics were evaluated. The impact of PDGFRα/β expression on patient survival was also examined.

Platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha was expressed in the cytoplasm and membrane of 58.5% of primary RCC cells, with an HS of 62.9 ± 8.4, significantly higher than PDGFRβ expression (44.6%; 26.6 ± 5.3; P > .05). Platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha expression correlated with tumor grade (r = 0.471; P < .0001) and the pN+ category (r = 0.280; P = .024). Platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta expression correlated with tumor grade (r = 0.286; P = .021), venous tumor thrombosis (r = 0.263; P = .034), M+ category (r = 0.305; P = .014), and adrenal metastases (r = 0.306; P = .041). Neither PDGFRα nor PDGFRβ expression levels influenced patient survival.

Platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha was more highly expressed in RCC cells compared to PDGFRβ. Overexpression of PDGFRα/β was associated with higher tumor grade and advanced RCC stages, though it did not affect patient survival.